Ver. 1. Of Aaron and Moses.] Of Aaron by nature, of Moses by education and instruction. See 1 Corinthians 4:15 Ga 4:12, [See Trapp on “1Co 4:15”] [See Trapp on “Ga 4:12”] So the Jesuits call themselves padres, and require of their novices blind obedience, which is more than ever Moses did.
Ver. 3. Which were anointed.] And so should have walked, as became God’s anointed; leaving a sweet smell behind them everywhere; but they went out in a stench; they fell, as if they had not been anointed with oil. (2 Samuel 1:21)
Ver. 4. And Nadab and Abihu.] Such a cross had David in his two eldest, Amnon and Absalom. [See Trapp on “Le 10:1”] [See Trapp on “Le 10:2”]
Ver. 9. They are wholly given unto him.] Heb. They are given, they are given. So the ministers of the gospel are called “gifts”; (Ephesians 4:8,11) honoraries; such as Christ bestowed upon his Church at the day of his coronation, and solemn inauguration into his throne, at his wonderful ascension.
Ver. 10. And the stranger.] Though a Levite, yet if not of Aaron’s seed. (Numbers 18:3 Hebrews 5:4) Let this be thought upon by our too bold intruders into the work of the ministry.
Ver. 13. Because all the firstborn.] So they were from the beginning: but here is noted a continuance of this ordinance, when it is said that he sanctified the first born to himself, what time he smote every firstborn in Egypt. Now the firstborn are said to be God’s by a singular right, (Exodus 13:2) and so they were types, (1.) Of Christ, (Romans 8:29) to whom therefore we must give the honour of his first birthright; all our sheaves must vail and bow to his sheaf: (2.) Of Christians; those “firstborn whose names are written in heaven,” (Hebrews 12:23) who are dear to God, as his firstborn, (Exodus 4:22) and so “higher than the kings of the earth,” (Psalms 89:27) for they are “kings and priests unto God,” (Revelation 1:6) to “serve him day and night in his temple.” (Revelation 7:15)